British police train to protect Olympic torch

A police mock training exercise for Britain's upcoming Olympic torch relay.

A policeman posing as a protester approaches to apparently grab the torch...

(UPSOT)

…and is unceremoniously hauled off.

Almost 30 unarmed London Metropolitan Police officers, who will guard the torch relay around Britain before the July games, were put through their paces in Friday's training session.

They want to avoid scenes like this when protesters waving the Tibetan flag disrupted the torch's relay through London just before the 2008 Beijing Olympics - which had been billed as a journey of harmony and peace.

But police commander Bob Broadhurst thinks protests this time round are unlikely.

(SOUNDBITE (English) METROPOLITAN POLICE COMMANDER BOB BROADHURST, IN CHARGE OF POLICING THE LONDON OLYMPICS, SAYING:

"I think the biggest trouble will be attention seekers, somebody trying to run alongside and grab a bit of the glory. I am sure we will get the odd protest now and again up and down the country but the key point, I would say, is why would you want to spoil somebody's big day in the sun by protesting?"

Minister for police and security James Brokenshire says the main focus is on the Olympics as a community event.

SOUNDBITE) (English) JAMES BROKENSHIRE, MINISTER FOR POLICE AND SECURITY, SAYING:

"We want this to be a great special event for the Olympics, but are also being prepared, being ready, vigilant.l about"

Eight thousand people have been chosen to carry the Olympic flame around Britain when it arrives in the country on May 18.

Sunita Rappai, Reuters